Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1887-10-22
CHAPTER xXXII.

Transv aal, and which more resembles o &rue
north country mist than anything else, was
falling gently but persistently This condition
of affairs was as favorable as possible to their
enterprise, and under cover of it the Hotten-
tot and the white girl crept far down the hill
to within twelve or fourteeR PAGES OF the
back OF the wagon house. Then Jantje, who
was leading, suddenly put back his hand and
checked her, and at that moment Jess caught
the sound Of a sentry's footsteps as he tramped
ieisurely up and down. For a couple of
minutes or so they stopped thus, not knowing
what TO do, when suddenly q man came round
the corner Of the building holding lantern
in his hand. On seeing the lantern jess FIRST
Impulse was 20 fly, but Jantje, by motion,
made her understand that she was to stop
still. The man with the lantern advanced
toward the other man, holding the light above
his head, and looking dim and gigantic in the
mist and rain. Presently he turned his face.
and Jess saw that it was Frank Muller him.
self. He stood thus for a moment waiting
till the sentry was near to him.
"You Can 60 to your supper" he said.
aCome back in half an hour. will be re-
sponsible for the prisoners till then"
The man growlcd OUT an answer, something
about the rain, and then departed round the
end of the building, followed by Muller.
snow then, come on," whispered Jantje;
"there is hole in the store room WALL and
you may be able to speak to Missile Bessie"
Jess did not require second invitation, but
slipped up to the wall in five seconds. Passing
her hand over the stonework, she found the
air hole, which she remembered well, for they
used to play bopeep there as children, and
was about to whisper through it, when sud
denly the door at the other end opened, and
Frank Muller entered, bearing the lantern in
his hand. For a moment he stood on the
threshold, opening the slide of the lantern IN
order to increase the light. His hat was off,
and he had a cape OF dark cloth thrown over
his shoulders, which seemed to add to Iis
great breadth. and the thought flashed
through the mind Of Jess as she looked at
him through the hole and the light struck
upon his face ara fernz; and glintssl down his
golden beard, that he was the most magnifi-
cent specimen Of humanity she had ever seen.
In another instant he had turned the lantern
round and revealed her dear sister Bessie to
her gaze Bessie was seated upon one of the
half empty sacks Of Tnealies apparently half
asleep, for she opened her wide blue eyes and
looked round apprehensively like one sud-
denly awakened. Her golden curls were in
disorder and falling over her fair forehead,
and her face was very pale and troubled, and
marked beneath the eyes with deep blue lines.
Catching sight of her visitor, she rose hur-
,riedly and retreated as far from him as the
pile of sacks and potatoes would allow.
"What is itf she said, in a low voice. ~
gave you my answer. Why do you come to
torment me againr'
He placed the lantern upon an upright sack
Of mealies, and carefully balanced it before
he answered. jess could see that he was
taking time to consider.
"Let us recapitulate." he said, at length, in
his full, rich voice 1.-THE position is this. i
gass yoa this asorning the choice between
consenting to marry me tomorrow and see
ing your odd uncle and benefactor shot. Fur
ther, assured you that il you would not
consent to marry me your uncle should be
shot, and that would then make you mine,
dispensing with the ceremony Of marriage.
Is that not SER
Bessie made no answer. and be continued,
his syes fixed upon her face and thoughtfully
stroking his beard
"Silence gives consent. will 60 on. Be-
fore q man can be shot according TO law he
must be tried and condemned according to
law. Your uncle has been tried and has been
condemned"
~ heard it all, cruel murderer that you
are" said Bessie, lifting her head for the first
time
"Sol thought you. would, through the
crack. That Is why had you put into this
place; It would not have looked well to bring
you before the court" and he took the light
and examined the crevice. "This place is
badly buiit," he went on, in q careless tone;
"look, there is another space there at the
back" and Ne actually came up to it and held
the lantern close to 10 70 that the light from
IL shone through into Jess eyes and nearly
blinded her. She shut them quickly, SO that
the CLEAN reflected from them should not be-
tray her, and then held her breath and re-
manned as still as the dead In another sec
ond he took away the light and replaced 1t on
the mealie bag.
$50 you say you saw it all. Well, it must
have shown you that was in earnest. The
old man took it well, did he not! He is a
brave man and I respect him. / fancy that
he will not move muscle at the last. That
comes OF English blood, you see. 1t is the
best In the world, and l am proud to have 1t
| in my veins"
Cannot you stop torturing me and say
| what you have to sayl" asked Bessie
u had no wish to torture you, but if you
like will come to the point. 1t is this. Will
you now consent to marry me tomorrow
morning at sun up, or am to be forced to
carry the sentence on your old uncle into
effect!n
"I will not. will not hate you and
defy you"
Muller looked at her coldly, and then drew
his pocketbook from his pocket and extracted
from it the death warrant and pencil.
"Look, Bessie" he said. "This is youi
uncle's death warrant. At present it is value
less and informal; for 1 have not yet signed
though, as you will see, ! have been careful
that everybody else should. If once placs
my signature there it cannot be revoked, and
the sentence must be carried into effect II
you persist in your refusal will sign it be
fore your eyes" and he placed the paper Oh
the book and took the pencil in his righ